Written Answers Friday 20 July 2007

Scottish Executive

Air Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in line with the terms of amendment S2M-3837.2 by Fergus Ewing, it (a) acknowledges the importance of aviation in the prime aim of growing the Scottish economy, (b) will seek to remove barriers to further success in aviation policy, (c) will audit and review the Air Route Development Fund and its efficacy thus far, with a view to refining and widening its terms, (d) will consider its extension to air freight traffic and to less frequent and seasonal services and (e) will work with Scotland’s airports and carriers to deliver a competitive economic environment, which should include the provision of appropriate and sufficient infrastructure for Scottish airports.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executive acknowledges the importance of direct air connections in making Scotland easier and more attractive for business, investment and inbound tourism. We intend to promote and encourage the maintenance and expansion of Scotland’s international air connections which avoid the need for travellers to use connecting flights and reduce reliance on UK internal flights.

  An evaluation of the economic benefits arising from the Route Development Fund (RDF) will be carried out over the next 12 to 18 months. The mechanism to assist the development of direct international air links is currently being revised in view of European Union Guidelines on start-up aid for new air services. Airport operators support the continuation of the relationship with the Executive on the development of new direct international routes which benefit the Scottish economy and business.

Asylum Seekers

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the issue of an amnesty for asylum seekers who have resided in Scotland for over six years has been raised with Her Majesty’s Government at official or ministerial level.

Stewart Maxwell: A number of issues regarding asylum seekers will be raised with Her Majesty’s Government at both official and ministerial level shortly.

Audiology

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are employed in audiology services, broken down by grade and discipline.

Shona Robison: Information on Audiologists is captured under Medical Technical Officers (MTOs) and Scientific and Professional in centrally held data. Of these, Audiological Scientists and Audiological Technicians can be explicitly identified. Headcount numbers in each staff group employed in NHSScotland are shown in the following table, by grade and discipline at 30 September 2006. There is a list shown in the table by Whitley Grading and the new Agenda for Change Bands. Table 1 outlines this information.

  Audiological Scientists and Audiological Technicians Employed by NHS Scotland by Head Count and WTE at 30 September 2006

  Audiological Scientists Audiological Technicians

  

 
Head Count
Head Count


Total
5
138


Whitley Grades1
 
 


Grade 1
-
7


Grade 2
-
4


Grade 3
-
53


Grade 4
-
24


Grade 5
-
9


Assistant
-
16


Grade B
5
-


Senior Assistant
-
15



  Agenda for Change Bands1

  

 
Head Count
Head Count


Band 2
-
4


Band 5
-
4


Band 6
-
1


Band 7
-
1



  Source: ISD Scotland.Note: 1. Agenda for Change is the new national NHS pay system and will introduce new pay bands and harmonised terms and conditions for NHS workers. It replaces the previous Whitley Council system.

Breastfeeding

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what surveys have been carried out in Scotland to ascertain the levels of vitamin D deficiency in specific vulnerable groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, elderly people, infants and black and ethnic minority groups.

Shona Robison: There have been no Scottish surveys of vitamin D status of the whole Scottish population.

  There are Scottish participants in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) and also the recently completed UK Low Income Diet and Nutrition Survey (LIDNS). However, the low sample size precludes detailed analyses of individual population sub-groups, such as all-Scotland or specific vulnerable groups across the UK.I have also been advised by the Food Standards Agency Scotland that they are aware of a number of ad-hoc surveys conducted in Scotland which include the measurement of vitamin D intake and/or status in vulnerable groups; these include elderly people and pregnant women.The Food Standards Agency Scotland have recommended the inclusion of a measure of vitamin D status in the next Scottish Health Survey and are currently in discussion with the Public Health and Wellbeing Directorate and the analytical services division of the Health Finance Directorate.

Central Heating

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to build on the Warm Deal and central heating programmes to address fuel poverty.

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend eligibility for the Warm Deal and central heating programmes to other vulnerable groups.

Stewart Maxwell: Currently I have no plans to alter the programmes, however the existing contract for managing the Warm Deal and central heating programme comes to an end in March 2008, and I will shortly be considering how to achieve a more effective focus on tackling fuel poverty in future.

Child Welfare

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals are provisionally listed on the Disqualified from Working with Children List.

Adam Ingram: The conclusion of individual cases and the arrival of new referrals to the Disqualified from Working with Children List (DWCL) means that the number of individuals provisionally listed in the DWCL varies over time. On 13 July 2007, there were 62 individuals provisionally listed in the DWCL.

  The case management team is currently gathering information on the matters that led to these referrals not only from the individual and referring organisation but also from other relevant bodies e.g. police, previous employers and regulatory bodies. Any information received for the determination panel’s consideration is shared with the individual.Individuals are generally provisionally listed for three or four months prior to a determination panel decision.

Child Welfare

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals provisionally listed on the Disqualified from Working with Children List are employed in a child care position.

Adam Ingram: On 13 July 2007, of the 62 individuals provisionally listed in the Disqualified from Working with Children List, it is known that five are working in a child care position either in a paid capacity or as a volunteer. The employing organisations have been notified of the individual’s provisional listing status.

Child Welfare

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that all cases relating to individuals who previously worked at Kerelaw School but who now work for another local authority and who have since had complaints made against them relating to when they worked at Kerelaw will be swiftly investigated.

Adam Ingram: Referrals to the Disqualified from Working with Children List (DWCL) are dealt with on a case by case basis and every effort is made to deal with them timeously. Each referral is subject to due process as laid down in the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 Determination Regulations 2004.

  Where the initial tests for provisionally listing in the DWCL have been met in terms of the 2003 act, the legislation requires us to notify any known employer where the individual is working in a child care position about the individual’s provisional listing status.

Council Tax

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of people (a) entitled to and (b) who claimed council tax benefit and what amount was paid in each year since 1999, also broken down by local authority area.

John Swinney: (a) This information is not held centrally.

  (b) This information is in the following table:

  Council Tax Benefit Expenditure and Recipients by Local Authority

  

 
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03


Expenditure
  (£ Million)1
Recipients2
Expenditure (£ Million)1
Recipients2
Expenditure (£ Million) 1
Recipients2
Expenditure (£ Million)1
Recipients2


Aberdeen
8.5
16,390
8.8
16,890
9.1
16,630
9.7
16,580


Aberdeenshire
4.8
10,600
5.3
9,960
6.1
11,260
6.6
11,600


Angus
3.7
8,450
3.9
8,730
4.2
8,470
4.4
7,540


Argyll-Bute
4.6
7,800
5.0
8,020
5.3
7,960
5.2
7,780


Clackmannanshire
3.0
6,000
3.1
5,570
3.2
5,480
3.2
5,310


Eilean Siar
1.1
3,270
1.4
3,170
1.6
2,890
1.5
2,970


Dumfries and Galloway
6.4
11,840
6.8
12,580
7.0
12,570
7.1
12,400


Dundee
13.1
23,780
12.8
22,620
12.7
21,610
12.9
21,090


East Ayrshire
7.2
14,050
7.8
13,370
8.1
13,780
8.1
13,640


East Dunbartonshire
3.7
6,380
3.5
6,250
3.7
6,040
3.8
5,720


East Lothian
4.2
7,770
4.5
7,610
4.4
6,750
4.6
7,190


East Renfrewshire
2.6
5,330
2.7
4,990
3.0
5,010
3.0
4,790


Edinburgh
23.3
42,820
22.8
40,390
23.5
39,420
23.9
38,510


Falkirk
6.2
16,090
6.3
15,040
6.7
14,460
7.1
14,290


Fife
15.9
35,980
16.1
33,790
17.1
33,310
17.8
32,670


Glasgow
79.7
118,170
79.1
111,720
76.6
106,650
75.5
108,370


Highland
9.2
17,870
9.5
18,060
9.8
17,610
10.1
16,950


Inverclyde
5.9
11,250
6.0
10,020
6.8
10,800
7.0
10,900


Midlothian
4.3
7,100
4.2
6,980
4.2
6,630
4.2
6,440


Moray
2.8
6,890
2.9
6,690
2.9
5,630
3.0
5,500


North Ayrshire
8.0
15,100
8.3
15,490
8.9
16,170
9.0
15,090


North Lanarkshire
22.9
44,620
23.4
42,760
22.6
40,220
22.9
39,940


Orkney
0.4
1,270
0.5
1,230
0.5
1,250
0.6
1,240


Perth and Kinross
4.3
8,320
4.4
8,880
4.8
8,530
5.1
8,490


Renfrewshire
10.1
19,920
10.6
20,380
11.4
20,060
12.4
19,410


Scottish Borders
3.2
8,410
3.4
8,220
3.7
8,110
4.1
8,240


Shetland
0.4
1,140
0.5
1,200
0.5
1,110
0.5
1,120


South Ayrshire
5.7
10,700
5.9
10,960
6.1
10,650
6.5
10,500


South Lanarkshire
19.7
38,070
19.5
36,550
19.7
36,350
20.0
36,040


Stirling
3.4
7,210
3.6
6,840
3.8
6,600
3.9
6,490


West Dunbartonshire
10.2
14,670
9.5
14,670
9.7
14,520
9.8
14,150


West Lothian
8.0
16,440
7.8
15,520
8.0
14,410
8.2
14,730


Total Scotland
306.6
563,700
310.0
545,150
315.8
530,910
321.6
525,660



  

 
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06


Expenditure
(£ Million)1
Recipients2
Expenditure
(£ Million)1
Recipients2
Expenditure
(£ Million)1
Recipients2


Aberdeen
10.5
16,960
11.8
17,530
12.0
16,900


Aberdeenshire
7.2
11,720
8.3
12,740
8.9
12,940


Angus
4.9
8,510
5.6
9,260
5.9
9,480


Argyll-Bute
5.3
7,390
5.5
7,830
5.7
7,600


Clackmannanshire
3.2
5,230
3.4
5,470
3.5
5,250


Eilean Siar
1.6
2,740
1.7
3,110
1.8
3,100


Dumfries and Galloway
7.5
12,650
8.2
13,240
8.6
13,450


Dundee
12.9
20,470
13.7
20,930
13.8
20,310


East Ayrshire
8.6
14,600
9.1
15,090
9.6
15,220


East Dunbartonshire
3.9
5,650
4.6
5,980
4.7
6,000


East Lothian
4.8
7,060
5.1
7,370
5.3
7,380


East Renfrewshire
3.3
4,660
3.6
4,910
3.7
4,900


Edinburgh
25.5
37,690
28.0
40,030
29.5
41,010


Falkirk
7.4
14,280
8.0
14,610
8.4
14,490


Fife
18.7
33,620
19.7
32,720
20.5
32,190


Glasgow
78.8
109,130
78.4
109,640
78.4
102,620


Highland
10.7
16,690
11.8
17,810
12.4
17,760


Inverclyde
7.4
11,100
8.0
11,580
8.1
11,800


Midlothian
4.4
6,420
4.9
6,590
5.0
6,410


Moray
3.1
5,610
3.5
5,990
3.8
6,050


North Ayrshire
10.1
15,460
10.8
16,860
11.4
17,210


North Lanarkshire
22.9
36,270
24.1
40,890
24.8
41,040


Orkney
0.7
1,230
0.8
1,320
0.8
1,320


Perth and Kinross
5.5
8,840
6.3
9,390
6.8
9,470


Renfrewshire
12.6
17,970
13.8
20,230
14.3
20,260


Scottish Borders
4.6
8,200
5.2
8,870
5.5
9,010


Shetland
0.6
1,140
0.7
1,280
0.8
1,370


South Ayrshire
7.0
10,670
7.5
11,040
7.9
11,330


South Lanarkshire
20.6
35,870
21.5
35,280
21.6
34,150


Stirling
4.2
6,470
4.5
6,450
4.7
6,510


West Dunbartonshire
9.9
14,210
10.0
14,390
10.1
14,100


West Lothian
8.6
14,780
9.2
15,420
9.5
15,330


Total Scotland
337.2
523,280
357.5
543,850
367.8
535,920



  Notes:1: Source - Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Council Tax Benefit Expenditure 1999-2006.2: Source - DWP Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100% caseload stock-count taken in November 1999 to 2006. (a) The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.(b) The caseloads have been rounded to the nearest 10.(c) Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated. (d) Council Tax Benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.

Dental Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether children under 16 are entitled to free orthodontic treatment if this treatment is recommended by a dentist.

Shona Robinson: Orthodontic treatment is free to children under 16 subject to there being a clinical need for the work to be undertaken.

Dental Health

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet the British Dental Association and what will be discussed.

Shona Robison: Scottish Government Officials meet regularly with representatives of the British Dental Association (BDA) and are next due to meet on 17 October to discuss a range of dental issues.

  As Minister for Public Health I have written to and will also meet with BDA Scotland in the near future.

Energy

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Iberdrola to end the policy of backcharging token prepayment meter customers.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Ofgem to go further than the forthcoming licence condition on backcharging token prepayment meter customers and require all suppliers who adopt the policy to end it immediately.

Stewart Maxwell: Regulation of energy supply companies is a matter for Ofgem. The new supply licence conditions will oblige suppliers to take all reasonable steps to ensure meters are recalibrated in a timely manner after any price change and Ofgem will be monitoring closely compliance with this condition. I intend to keep this matter under review and I will make appropriate representations to Ofgem if this becomes necessary.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of public subsidy would be required to provide a ferry service linking Campbeltown to Ballycastle.

Stewart Stevenson: The level of subsidy required would depend on a range of factors, including the level of service that was specified, the availability of vessels suited to the route and fuel costs - an important element in the running costs of the service.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of interest was recorded when tenders were invited to provide a ferry service between Campeltown and Ballycastle.

Stewart Stevenson: Fourteen expressions of interest were received in respect of the 2005-06 Campbeltown and Ballycastle tendering process. Eight of these companies completed a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, of which four met the pre-qualification criteria set and were invited to submit a full tender proposal. Unfortunately the four companies involved did not follow their initial interest up by submitting a tender within the deadline set.

  It was agreed early in 2006 that efforts should continue, as part of a negotiated procedure, to identify a suitable operator for the route. Procurement rules allowed for this on the strict understanding that any contract signed complied fully with the key terms set out in the 2005 tender. Two companies expressed continued interest in providing the service on that basis. However, in October 2006 the Northern Ireland administration withdrew their financial support for the project and no further progress was made at that time.Discussions on this subject have recently been resumed with the Northern Ireland Executive as a result of discussion between the First Minister and the First Minster of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to providing financial support for ferry travel for people living and working in the Western Isles, similar to that available for air travel.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is committed to commissioning a study into Road Equivalent Tariff as a mechanism for reducing ferry fares. We will announce our plans for that study in due course.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive approval from the European Commission to proceed with the CalMac ferry service tender.

Stewart Stevenson: The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services tendering process has been underway since October 2005 when advertisements were published in a range of outlets seeking expressions of interest in tendering for the contract. Following a pre-qualification process, invitations to tender were issued to two companies in December 2006. One of these companies subsequently withdrew. A bid was received from CalMac Ferries by the closing date of 11 May. This is now being evaluated and an announcement on the conclusion of the exercise will be made shortly.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the expected form and content of scrutiny by the European Commission of a single bundle tender for Calmac ferry services.

Stewart Stevenson: The principle of bundling routes together for tendering purposes was recognised by the European Commission in a December 2003 Communication ("Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee of the Regions on the interpretation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within member states (maritime cabotage"). The Communication notes that grouping public service routes into a single bundle is "not contrary to Community law provided that it does not lead to discrimination" and indicates that "the most appropriate size of bundles should be decided by taking account of the best synergy to be made in meeting essential transport needs".

  The Commission has taken an interest in the arrangements for ferry subsidies in Scotland over a number of years. This included the issuing of a "pre-infraction letter" in June 2005, relating to the Commission’s view that the subsidy arrangements for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services did not comply with Community law because no public tender or equivalent procedure had been used in the award of subsidy.The latest approach from the Commission was in late May 2007. The Commission has asked a range of detailed questions about our support for ferry services subsidy arrangements relating to the Clyde and Hebrides network, the Gourock – Dunoon route and the Northern Isles services. The Scottish Executive and the UK Government are working together to prepare a full response to the questions and will discuss the issues raised with the Commission, as appropriate.

Fertility Services

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase the availability of infertility treatment.

Shona Robison: The interim response to the Review of Infertility Services in Scotland  published in March 2007 documented the action taken to increase the availability of fertility treatment specifically:

  Increasing the upper age limit for access to NHS funded level III assisted conception treatments to 39 years inclusive, i.e. treatment should be before a woman’s 40th birthday.The upper age limit should not apply for replacement of frozen embryos which were created from previous treatments occurring before the patients 40th birthday.Timing – once accepted onto an ACT programme patients should be allowed to undergo successive cycles of Level III ACT within a reasonable timescale agreed between themselves and the clinicians providing the treatment.The Scottish Government expects each NHS board to follow and apply the guidance issued and we will monitor to ensure consistency.

Freight

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to remove road freight from the A9 and on to rail.

Stewart Stevenson: My freight grants team are currently in dialogue with a number of companies who are in the early stages of developing projects for the transfer of freight from the A9 to rail. We are hopeful that these will come to fruition, as firm grant applications, though ultimately this will depend on commercial decisions by the companies concerned. An award of Freight Facilities Grant of £2.3 million was made to Inverness Harbour Trust earlier this year which, although not transferring freight to rail, will remove freight from the A9.

  Freight grant funded projects have removed over 80 million lorry miles from Scotland’s roads, including over five million lorry miles from the A9 corridor over the last eight years.

Fuel Poverty

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains committed to the previous administration’s target to abolish fuel poverty by 2016.

Stewart Maxwell: I am committed to eradicating fuel poverty as far as is reasonably practicable by 2016. I am keen to build on what has been achieved by current programmes.

Health

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given to implementing the recommendations in the May 2007 position statement on vitamin D from the Scientific Advisory Committee in Nutrition (SACN).

Shona Robison: The Food Standards Agency Scotland, the Public Health and Wellbeing Directorate and the Chief medical Officer Directorate are currently considering the detailed conclusions of the position statement, Update on Vitamin D , published in May 2007 by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), following their scoping exercise to ascertain if there was sufficient evidence for a full risk assessment on vitamin D and health.

  SACN concluded that a further risk assessment and review of Dietary Recommendations would only be warranted when definitive evidence becomes available.The agency currently has several on-going research studies on the interaction between diet and sunlight exposure in vitamin D status. The results of these studies which report in three to four years time will provide evidence on vitamin D requirements. A decision on whether a full SACN risk assessment is warranted will be made once these studies have reported.

Health

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of tuberculosis there were in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.

Shona Robison: The information requested is shown in the following table:

  

NHS Board
2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006*


Argyll and Clyde
30
34
17
30
9


Ayrshire and Arran 
11
10
6
6
12


Fife
10
17
14
14
13


Forth Valley
4
12
5
4
4


Grampian
33
18
22
23
37


Greater Glasgow
195
168
174
162
37


Greater Glasgow and Clyde**
0
0
0
0
134


Highland
5
7
8
11
9


Lanarkshire
35
29
35
24
52


Lothian
53
53
84
75
56


Orkney
0
0
0
0
0


Tayside
11
11
16
7
11


All other NHS boards†
6
9
11
8
11


Total
393
368
392
364
385



  Notes:*Data for 2005 and 2006 are provisional.**Greater Glasgow and Argyll and Clyde NHS Boards merged to become Greater Glasgow and Clyde on 1 April 2006.†To avoid deductive disclosure of cases from small numbers, data from NHS Boards with few or no cases were aggregated.

Historic Scotland

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-728 by Linda Fabiani on 20 June 2007, which activities are duplicated by Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: Areas of possible duplication between Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland will be examined as part of our wider exploration of the possibilities for rationalisation of the work of public bodies. We will examine the role of both bodies in relation to outreach and educational activities; the holding of collections; physical survey work, and the potential to remove any related duplication in administrative and support services.

Housing

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what increase in investment will be made for affordable housing in the Borders in 2007-08 over the £7 million in 2006-07 and £6.577 million in 2005-06.

Stewart Maxwell: Planned expenditure on affordable housing in the Borders was £4.8 million in 2005-06 (outturn figure, £4.2 million) and £6.6 million in 2006-07 (outturn figure, £7.5 million).

  Planned expenditure in 2007-08 is £7.2 million, representing an increase of 50% over the plans for 2005-06 and 9% over the plans for 2006-07.

Housing

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will assist disabled people and families affected by disability in Dumfries and Galloway to become home owners.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Communities Scotland’s Homestake scheme provides funding to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) which can help disabled people who are in housing unsuitable for their needs to purchase a new build shared equity home. This funding is available to RSLs operating in Dumfries and Galloway. In recognition that disabled people may have difficulty in becoming homeowners, Communities Scotland is also piloting a specialist advice service on disability issues to RSLs taking part in Homestake. The service, which is provided by Ownership Options, aims to help RSLs plan for, target and directly assist people to buy homes under the Homestake scheme. This advice service will continue to run until 30 November 2007 following which an independent review will be commissioned. A good practice guide is planned as an output of the pilot so that RSLs are better able to provide the kind of services required themselves.

  The Homestake scheme is specific to owner occupation. The needs of persons and families affected by disability also continue to be met through the more significant funding directed to providing social rented accommodation. We expect all RSLs receiving funding for new homes to design their properties to comply with the requirements of Housing for Varying Needs.

Housing

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to direct Communities Scotland to undertake a detailed investigation into the activities of the social housing repairs firm, Mears Group, and its Scottish subsidiary, Laidlaw Scott Ltd, given that the Housing Corporation has launched an investigation into Mears Group in England.

Stewart Maxwell: Communities Scotland’s powers of intervention, contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, relate only to social landlords. It would, however, expect any registered social landlord or local authority to investigate and deal appropriately with any concerns or allegations raised about poor performance by one of its contractors.

Planning

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications in the North Lanarkshire Council area were subject to further investigation by the Executive in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006.

Stewart Stevenson: Five planning applications were called-in by Scottish ministers in 2005 and three planning applications in 2006.

Pre-School Education

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children in Clydesdale do not receive 38 weeks of nursery provision in their pre-school year.

Adam Ingram: According to figures provided by South Lanarkshire Council, it is estimated that, from August 2007, 174 children will attend pre-school education in partner provider centres based in the Clydesdale area. Of these 106 will be in their pre-school year. These children will benefit from the increase in provision from 33 to 38 weeks, announced on 20 June.

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following the transport strategic spending review, it is satisfied with the (a) accuracy of the cost of and (b) assessment of risk involved in the electrification of the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line

Stewart Stevenson: The Review related to the current inherited projects committed for funding, as set out on the Transport Scotland website www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects .

  Transport Scotland is leading work to provide firm proposals for the most cost-effective ways to improve reliability, bring down journey times and provide capacity for the expected continuing growth in rail passenger numbers between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Electrification is one possible option for achieving this and the costs and risks of such a project will be fully considered.

Regulation

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional financial resources have been or will be provided to the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit.

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional staffing resources have been or will be provided to the Improving Regulation in Scotland unit.

Jim Mather: I understand that Professor Russell Griggs, Chairman of the Regulatory Review Group, will be writing to me shortly to discuss the Group’s future role and activities.

  The Improving Regulation Unit will be supporting the RRG in its work and it would be more appropriate to await the outcome of these discussions before deciding on the resources required.

  The Improving Regulation Unit will be appropriately resourced to complete this, and other aspects of our work to improve the regulatory environment for Scottish businesses.

Renewable Energy

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many renewables obligation certificates have been issued during each of the last three years for each of the 61 hydro stations constructed before 1990 and now accredited for qualification under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) scheme.

Jim Mather: The information requested is shown in the following table. This information has been provided by Ofgem, the body responsible for administering the obligation.

  

Hydro Station
ROCs Issued


2004-05
2005-06
2006-07


Gisla 
2773
2,675
2,603


Trinafour 
3438
3,655
3,630


Pitlochry 
71,134
56,779
54,727


Kinlochleven 
161,873
163,713
162,107


Lussa 
6476
8,400
10,198


St Fillans 
77,678
74,001
92,160


Loch Ericht 
13,340
11,358
8,932


Mossford 
117,388
126,117
125,611


Gaur 
27,140
22,250
27,984


Quoich Dam 
2476
2,345
2,423


Cluanie Dam 
1847
1,922
2,284


Luichart 
426
378
387


Meig Dam
287
245
282


Aigas 
75,516
56,610
81,830


Kilmorack 
75,315
57,532
81,263


Clunie Dam 
1269
1,320
1,298


Orrin Dam 
1190
1,155
1,278


Bonnington 
46,067
36,932
38,776


Torr Achilty 
54,523
41,943
54,228


Orrin 
113,725
63,288
99,505


Ceannacroc 
96,941
88,863
102,237


Loch Turret 
9,692
10,005
8,716.00


Tobermory 
82
337
562


Quoich 
110,683
101,909
90,958


Striven 
12,762
19,109
27,033


Invergarry 
101,430
91,947
96,041


Loch Dubh
3007
4,091
399


Dundreggan 
598
524
623


Pitlochry 
360
386
409


Stonebyres 
21,867
18,976
25,999


Grudie Bridge 
110,439
85,050
99,516


Storr Lochs 
8566
8,007
9,520


Drumjohn 
3835
2,449
5,010


Nostie Bridge 
6640
5,383
5,648


Lednock 
4157
4,567
5,624


Chliostair 
2952
3,850
4,100


Kilmelford,
8,659
9,147
12,383


Foyers Falls 
7254
14,909
26,297


Allt Na Lairige 
13,740
19,903
24,932


Sron Mor 
4173
5,008
7,469


Loch Gair 
13,334
13,422
20,691


Dalchonize 
8,540
14,683
19,993


Lubreoch 
12,928
16,228
19,537


Carsfad 
11,544
19,662
21,696


Earlstoun 
18,194
22,382
32,855


Kerry Falls 
1754
3,733
4,988


Vaich 
166
865
782


Lairg 
3,425
10,676
12,995


Awe Barrage 
1396
2,281
1,080


Cassley 
0
18,488
32,085


Duchally 
0
0
384


Lochay 
4930
9,008
9,193


Mullardoch 
 
1,669
6,388


Cuaich 
741
6,822
7,857


Achanalt 
2335
7,161
2,582


Gorton 
0
0
0


Loyne 
0
0
3,440


Morar 
0
1,464
3,379


Stronuich 
0
375
758


Misgeach 
0
49
449


Tralaig 
0
0
42


Total 61
1,461,005
1,376,006
1,606,156

Renewable Energy

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent since 2000 on refurbishing each of the 61 hydro stations constructed before 1990 and accredited under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) scheme in return for funding for refurbishment.

Jim Mather: Refurbishment is a matter for station owners and is not funded by the Scottish Executive. The information requested is not held centrally.

Renewable Energy

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) increase or (b) decrease in installed capacity has been since 2000 in each of the 61 hydro stations constructed before 1990 and accredited under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) scheme as a result of the refurbishment programme carried out by the owners.

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 61 hydro stations constructed before 1990 which have obtained accreditation under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) scheme since 2000 had already been refurbished between 1990 and 2000.

Jim Mather: The information requested is not held centrally.

Renewable Energy

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was agreed, when 61 hydro stations constructed before 1990 were being considered for accreditation under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) scheme, that some stations with an installed capacity above the 20MW qualifying limit would be refurbished to reduce capacity to below the limit to qualify for accreditation under the scheme.

Jim Mather: Since 1 April 2002, refurbished hydro stations with a declared net capacity of up to 20 MW have been eligible for support under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland).

  We are aware of 10 hydro stations whose capacity was reduced to below 20 MW before 1 April 2002. Any decision to reduce capacity was a matter for the generators concerned.

Renewable Energy

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the value has been of the price cap placed by Ofgem on renewables obligation certificates in each of the last three years.

Jim Mather: The value of a Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) is determined through an open market mechanism whereby suppliers purchase ROCs from generators and present them to Ofgem in order to meet their Obligation. Ofgem does not cap the monetary value of ROCs, which varies according to the level of the Obligation and the number of ROCs available to allow suppliers to meet it.

  Those suppliers who do not have enough ROCs to fulfil their Obligation can pay the buy-out price, whose value is index linked and set in the Order delivering the Obligation each year.

Schools

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to further develop the Safe Routes to School initiative.

Stewart Stevenson: Sustrans in Scotland is the leading organisation taking forward the Safe Routes to School Initiative.

  From 2000-08, the Scottish Executive will have provided over £55 million to local authorities for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets projects; it is up to local authorities how they allocate this locally. Also, local authorities have received nearly £50 million for 20 mph schemes outside schools and related safety projects, including safer routes to school and home zones, and £5 million to local authorities for School Travel Coordinators to work with schools in developing and implementing travel plans.

  School Travel Plans have led to the building of new infrastructure links, safe crossings, bicycle storage shelters and resources to aid cycle training in primary schools. In 2006-07, an additional £5 million was awarded to Sustrans and Cycling Scotland to provide these measures and a further £5 million for 2007-08 will be allocated to similar projects.

  Latest figures show that 60% of schools in Scotland are working on a travel plan – around 1,530 schools. It is my intention that this figure will rise as more schools come on board and work with their School Travel Coordinator.

  The Scottish Executive will continue to work with all key stakeholder groups to ensure that school travel plans deliver the infrastructure and resources needed to encourage more children to cycle and walk to school safely.

Scottish Water

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the question from the Chairman of the Water Industry Commission in respect of Scottish Water: "Are ministers prepared to guarantee that some £200 million per year will be forthcoming from the public purse for a long-term capital programme, or are they ready to see direct borrowing from capital markets?".

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Executive will ensure that Scottish Water has access to the funds it requires to enable it to deliver its regulatory settlement.

Social Enterprise

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what grants are available to assist social enterprises.

John Swinney: Many voluntary organisations are provided with financial assistance by the Scottish Executive each year. Of these a significant number may well be considered social enterprises, however many would not describe themselves in this way. The generic grant application pack does not ask voluntary organisations to state whether they are social enterprises, as there is no requirement to be one in order to access the grants.

  We will consider how best to invest in social enterprises as part of the Strategic Spending Review 2007, including building on the Futurebuilders Scotland programme which is now closed.

Sport

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Communities and Sport will argue for an increase in funding for disability sport in the comprehensive spending review.

Stewart Maxwell: Funding for disability sport is provided by sportscotland to the sport’s governing body Scottish Disability Sport. Funding is based on the sport’s development plan and is determined by the board of sportscotland.

  Decisions on the 2007 Spending Review will be announced later in the year.

Sport

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional investment will be made available to local authorities to develop local sports facilities.

Stewart Maxwell: We will be considering what additional investment may be made available for local facility development as part of the forthcoming spending review process.

Sport

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to support the development of disability sport.

Stewart Maxwell: Sportscotland provides support to Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) to assist in the implementation of its development plan. Over the period 2005-06 to 2007-08 core funding has increased by 28%. Sportscotland currently invests both Exchequer and Lottery funds on behalf of the Scottish Executive. SDS received £195,000 in 2005-06, £244,250 in 2006-07 and £250,750 in 2007-08.

  Sportscotland is also working closely with Scottish Disability Sport, UK Sport and EventScotland in considering the possibility of hosting a disability sporting event in Scotland before 2012.

Vaccines

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people aged (a) 65 and over and (b) under 65 and categorised as high risk have received the flu vaccine in 2007, broken down by NHS board area and expressed also as a percentage of eligible people.

Shona Robison: The information requested is shown in the following tables:

  (a) Influenza Uptake for 2006-07 (Patients 65 and Over) – All Scotland Summary

  

NHS Board
Patients Over 65 Years
Patients vaccinated
Percentage Achieved


Ayrshire and Arran
67,408
51,049
75.73%


Borders
19,301
15,174
78.62%


Dumfries and Galloway
29,953
22,611
75.49%


Fife
53,050
40,786
76.88%


Forth Valley
43,578
34,394
78.93%


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
183,077
135,979
74.27%


Grampian
69,778
52,357
75.03%


Highland
44,864
33,495
74.66%


Lanarkshire
81,195
58,336
71.85%


Lothian
89,032
69,082
77.59%


Orkney
1,862
1,385
74.38%


Shetland
227
171
75.33%


Tayside
71,693
53,386
74.46%


Western Isles
5,424
3,365
62.04%


All Scotland
760,442
571,570
75.16%



  Note: Figures taken from Practitioner Services Division claims for payment for vaccinating over 65’s under the GMS contract. Figures exclude a small number of Section 17c and salaried GP practices.

  (b) Influenza Vaccination Uptake for 2006-07 (Patients Six Months to 65 Years at Risk) to 31 January 2007

  

NHS Board
At Risk Population Identified
At Risk Patients Vaccinated
Percentage Achieved


Ayrshire and Arran
39,520
14,597
36.90%


Borders
7,780
2,869
36.90%


Dumfries and Galloway
13,545
5,004
36.90%


Fife
31,687
12,585
39.70%


Forth Valley
20,286
8,928
44.00%


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
108,691
40,870
37.60%


Grampian
36,422
14,979
41.10%


Highland
26,417
9,049
34.30%


Lanarkshire
40,411
14,406
35.60%


Lothian
59,076
21,266
36.00%


Orkney
842
589
70.00%


Shetland
1,429
541
37.90%


Tayside
23,699
9,141
38.60%


Western Isles
2,752
1,142
41.50%


Totals for Patients Identified
412,557
155,966
37.80%



  Note: Figures taken from returns made to Health Protection Scotland by approximately 60% of GP practices.

Water Charges

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the water and sewerage charges exemption scheme for charitable and voluntary organisations.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-326 on 8 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Water Charges

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what principles it considers should be applied when charging for water and sewerage services between 2006 and 2010.

Stewart Stevenson: Ministers previously set their principles of charging for 2006-10 in their statement of policy regarding charges of 28 September 2005. This is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1057/0022138.pdf .